WHAT WOULD you do if your closest friend was trapped in a foreign
country after a military coup?
Pastor Ryan Murray faces that
question when Bolivian soldiers
take a Canadian missionary captive in a jungle prison. Is Murray
called to do more than pray?

In this adventure novel David
Donaldson tackles the dilemma of
a Christian living the “safe” life
who is challenged with a situation
that could mean life or death if he
gets involved.

The story takes us from a quietchurch in St. Catharines, Ont., to amilitary-type training camp inFlorida to the jungles of Bolivia, inan intriguing tale involving a multi-national corporation, a militarydictatorship and a band of loyalfriends determined to outwit them.

Descriptions of place, especially
Bolivia, are superb and well researched. The story is detailed and
tightly written. It explores Christian
questions and dilemmas without
pretending to have all the answers.

The author is an Ontario writer
who leads short-term mission trips
to Kenya.–maRIaNNEJoNEs

Walking with God:
Praying Through
Footwork Metaphors
in Scripture

By Teresa Sandhu

WestBow Press,

2014. 260 pages.

$21.41 (e-book $3.86)

CONCEIVED BY Toronto writer,intercessor and blogger TeresaSandhu, Walking with God is a help-ful exploration of images of feetand walking found in Scripture.

The book consists of 50 chapters
on metaphors such as God’s path,
arising, standing firm, foot washing, marches and processions,
stumbling and wandering.

Each chapter begins with Scripture passages, then moves through
three more sections – “Entering,”
which summarizes a set of metaphors and prepares for their exploration; “Walking,” in which the
metaphor and the passages presented are worked out through a
variety of exercises; and “
Following Through,” in which practical
consequences of the metaphor are
encouraged.

Each chapter’s exercises and reflection can take between 15 minutes to an hour.

Walking with God is essentially a
devotional guide in the longstanding
lectio divina tradition, which uses
Scripture for meditation to draw near
to God. The author’s tone is one of
gentle encouragement.

The book would work for either
individual reading or a Bible study
group. – WIllIam VaN gEEs T

Common Ground

By Justin Trudeau

HarperCollins, 2014.

343 pages. $24.11

(e-book $16.76)

HIS FAMILY has
had a national
presence for more than 40 years. His
father was the prime minister of
Canada for 15. The separation and
divorce of his parents was primetime
news. His younger brother died in an
avalanche.

When the eldest son of such a
family becomes the leader of the
political party his father once led,
he is already enmeshed in an
existing narrative. His foes use it
against him. Now Justin Trudeau,
42, has a chance to adjust this nar-

The story
takes us
from a quiet
church in St.

Catharines,
Ont., to a
military-type training camp in
Florida to
the jungles
of Bolivia

BOOKS & CULTURE

REVIEWs

The Fault in Our Stars

By John Green

Penguin, 2012. 336 pages.

$14.99 (e-book $10.99)

The Fault in Our Stars is awell-written, comic-tragicstory of young love that avoids manipulation andmelodrama while broadening our understandingof other people. An acclaimed movie version wasreleased in 2014. Author John Green is a highlypopular American author of young adult fiction.

Hazel Grace’s thyroid cancer has metastasizedinto her lungs, so her oxygen tank travelseverywhere with her. She’s 17. Although her canceris incurable, an experimental drug is buying herenough time to fall in love with Gus, who has losthis right leg to osteosarcoma, but drives a caranyway, and has eyes “so blue you could almostsee through them.”Gus defies death by holding unlit cigarettesbetween his lips. “You put the killing thing rightbetween your teeth, but you don’t give it thepower to do its killing.”Christian references are scattered throughoutthe book. Hazel and Gus meet at the cancersupport group which is held right at the centreof a church that is shaped like a cross. Theleader, not a strong character, tells them theyare in the heart of Jesus.

Gus’ parents fill their house with encouragingplaques and make general religious statementssuch as, “In the darkest days the Lord puts thebest people in your life.”However, the “god” figure who reallyinspires Hazel and Gus is an author. They go toextraordinary lengths to meet him, only to bedevastated by the reality of who he is.

The characters are clever, unpredictable and
heartbreakingly real. The story gives an insightful
portrayal of how many young people today feel
uncertain about Christianity and heaven, and will
lead to thoughtful discussions with older teens
and adults. –BoNNIE BEldaN- THomsoN

ReadingTHE BESTSELLERS

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